Mark - Chapter 1 | New International Version

  • 1. The beginning of the gospel about Jesus Christ, the Son of God.
  • 2. It is written in Isaiah the prophet: "I will send my messenger ahead of you, who will prepare your way" --
  • 3. a voice of one calling in the desert, 'Prepare the way for the Lord, make straight paths for him.'
  • 4. And so John came, baptizing in the desert region and preaching a baptism of repentance for the forgiveness of sins.
  • 5. The whole Judean countryside and all the people of Jerusalem went out to him. Confessing their sins, they were baptized by him in the Jordan River.
  • 6. John wore clothing made of camel's hair, with a leather belt around his waist, and he ate locusts and wild honey.
  • 7. And this was his message: "After me will come one more powerful than I, the thongs of whose sandals I am not worthy to stoop down and untie.
  • 8. I baptize you with water, but he will baptize you with the Holy Spirit."
  • 9. At that time Jesus came from Nazareth in Galilee and was baptized by John in the Jordan.
  • 10. As Jesus was coming up out of the water, he saw heaven being torn open and the Spirit descending on him like a dove.
  • 11. And a voice came from heaven: "You are my Son, whom I love; with you I am well pleased."
  • 12. At once the Spirit sent him out into the desert,
  • 13. and he was in the desert forty days, being tempted by Satan. He was with the wild animals, and angels attended him.
  • 14. After John was put in prison, Jesus went into Galilee, proclaiming the good news of God.
  • 15. The time has come, he said. "The kingdom of God is near. Repent and believe the good news!"
  • 16. As Jesus walked beside the Sea of Galilee, he saw Simon and his brother Andrew casting a net into the lake, for they were fishermen.
  • 17. Come, follow me, Jesus said, "and I will make you fishers of men."
  • 18. At once they left their nets and followed him.
  • 19. When he had gone a little farther, he saw James son of Zebedee and his brother John in a boat, preparing their nets.
  • 20. Without delay he called them, and they left their father Zebedee in the boat with the hired men and followed him.
  • 21. They went to Capernaum, and when the Sabbath came, Jesus went into the synagogue and began to teach.
  • 22. The people were amazed at his teaching, because he taught them as one who had authority, not as the teachers of the law.
  • 23. Just then a man in their synagogue who was possessed by an evil spirit cried out,
  • 24. What do you want with us, Jesus of Nazareth? Have you come to destroy us? I know who you are--the Holy One of God!
  • 25. Be quiet! said Jesus sternly. "Come out of him!"
  • 26. The evil spirit shook the man violently and came out of him with a shriek.
  • 27. The people were all so amazed that they asked each other, "What is this? A new teaching--and with authority! He even gives orders to evil spirits and they obey him."
  • 28. News about him spread quickly over the whole region of Galilee.
  • 29. As soon as they left the synagogue, they went with James and John to the home of Simon and Andrew.
  • 30. Simon's mother-in-law was in bed with a fever, and they told Jesus about her.
  • 31. So he went to her, took her hand and helped her up. The fever left her and she began to wait on them.
  • 32. That evening after sunset the people brought to Jesus all the sick and demon-possessed.
  • 33. The whole town gathered at the door,
  • 34. and Jesus healed many who had various diseases. He also drove out many demons, but he would not let the demons speak because they knew who he was.
  • 35. Very early in the morning, while it was still dark, Jesus got up, left the house and went off to a solitary place, where he prayed.
  • 36. Simon and his companions went to look for him,
  • 37. and when they found him, they exclaimed: "Everyone is looking for you!"
  • 38. Jesus replied, "Let us go somewhere else--to the nearby villages--so I can preach there also. That is why I have come."
  • 39. So he traveled throughout Galilee, preaching in their synagogues and driving out demons.
  • 40. A man with leprosy came to him and begged him on his knees, "If you are willing, you can make me clean."
  • 41. Filled with compassion, Jesus reached out his hand and touched the man. "I am willing," he said. "Be clean!"
  • 42. Immediately the leprosy left him and he was cured.
  • 43. Jesus sent him away at once with a strong warning:
  • 44. See that you don't tell this to anyone. But go, show yourself to the priest and offer the sacrifices that Moses commanded for your cleansing, as a testimony to them.
  • 45. Instead he went out and began to talk freely, spreading the news. As a result, Jesus could no longer enter a town openly but stayed outside in lonely places. Yet the people still came to him from everywhere.
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